Multidimensional array of multi checkbox group values jQuery post array AJAX

Question

I have the following code. I want to add/remove check-box values to an array and pass to a JavaScript ajax call. I want to be able to pass all sort array to on array for the ajax call. Each time a checkbox is changed it updates the array, which in turn should update the array that's passed to ajax.

<input class='sort1' type='checkbox' value='' name='sort1' />
<input class='sort1' type='checkbox' value='' name='sort1' />
<input class='sort1' type='checkbox' value='' name='sort1' />

<input class='sort2' type='checkbox' value='' name='sort2' />
<input class='sort2' type='checkbox' value='' name='sort2' />

<input class='sort3' type='checkbox' value='' name='sort3' />
<input class='sort3' type='checkbox' value='' name='sort3' />
<input class='sort3' type='checkbox' value='' name='sort3' />
<input class='sort3' type='checkbox' value='' name='sort3' />


var arr_sort = {}
var arr_sort1 = {};
var arr_sort2 = {};
var arr_sort3 = {};

    $(".sort1").delegate("input[type='checkbox']", 'change', function() {
        var $this = $(this);

        if ($this.prop('checked')) {
            arr_sort1[$this.attr('name')] = $this.val();
        } else {
            delete arr_sort1[$this.attr('name')];
        }

        ajax_call();

    });

$(".sort2").delegate("input[type='checkbox']", 'change', function() {
        var $this = $(this);

        if ($this.prop('checked')) {
            arr_sort2[$this.attr('name')] = $this.val();
        } else {
            delete arr_sort2[$this.attr('name')];
        }

        ajax_call();

    });

$(".sort3").delegate("input[type='checkbox']", 'change', function() {
        var $this = $(this);

        if ($this.prop('checked')) {
            arr_sort3[$this.attr('name')] = $this.val();
        } else {
            delete arr_sort3[$this.attr('name')];
        }

        ajax_call();

    });

function ajax_call(){

    $.ajax({
         type: 'POST',
         url: "file.php",
         data: { thisaction: thisaction, sort: arr_sort},
         success: function(data){ 
             $("#results").html(data);
            }
        }); 

}

i could maybe do this, but I want to pass the array to php to handle especially if there are more check-box groups added.

Outcome

array (
   "sort1" => array("1","2","3"),
   "sort2" => array("this","that"),
   "sort3" => array("other","ok")
)

or

array (
   "sort1" => array("1","2","3"),
   "sort2" => array("this")
   "sort3" => array()
)

Answer 1

Answer: http://jsfiddle.net/morrison/XS48K/

Notes:

• Each name needs to be unique. This is good form anyway. I named them box# but you should use more appropriate names that describe what they are.
• Use data attribute to group objects. This is the semantic way to do this.
• Your input s should be in a form tag with an id . This helps you use jQuery selectors to get the objects that you want.
• I erased the value attribute. You can put a value back in if you'd like to. I just would prefer not see the value attribute in there.
• You should store all of them in an object or array. This is so you can manage ALL of the checked states in one place.